Can-opener



(No Model.)

E. P. TYRRELL 'UAN OPENER.-

No. 576,063. Patented Jan. 26, 1897.

52% @WW g, @1110 fima g wane/Jaw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EARL P. TYRRELL, OF SEVERANOE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF 'ro SCOTT A. SMITH, OF SCHROON LAKE, NEW YORK.

CAN=OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 576,068, dated January 26, 1897.

A li ti filed June 12, 1896. Serial No. 595,246. (No model.)

To all whom it 71mg concern.-

Be it known that I, EARL P. TYRRELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Severance, in the county of Essexand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gan-Openers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to IO which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in sealing cans and can-opening attachments therefor, the object of the same being to pro- .vide a can for containing fruits, vegetables, I 5 &c., provided with ready means whereby the lid may be removed without the necessity of using a separate can-opener and without the danger of cutting or scratching the hands.

The invention consists of a can having an annular flange upon its upper end extending inwardly therefrom, a strip of wire resting upon said flange triangular in cross-section, and a cover having an annular groove upon its under side Within which said wire is adapt- 2 5 ed to fit, and a handle upon one end of said wire adapted to fold down upon the top of saidcover. I

The invention also consists in other details of construction and combinations of parts,

0 which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed. 1

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a plan view of my device with the handle of the wire shown in its normal position in full lines and in two different positions in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the upper part of my can and the cover therefor.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

The can 1 is provided with an opening2 in its upper end and with an annular flange 3, as clearly shown. Fitting upon the upper end of the can 1 and soldered or otherwise secured thereto at its outer edge is a cover 4, having an annular groove 5 upon its under side adjacent to its outer edge. Upon the flange 3 and located within the groove 5 is a wire 6,

triangular in cross-section, formed with a handle 7, which is normally folded down in close contact with the top surface of the cover 4, as clearly shown in full lines in Fig. 1.

In using my device the handle 7 is drawn outwardly, forcing the angular cutting edge of the wire 6 into engagement with the edge of the cover 4, cutting said cover or separating same at its soldered portion from the side of the can 1.

It will be readily seen that the operation is extremely simple, can be performed bya child without the necessity of a separate can-opener and without danger of cutting the fingers.

By reason of the fact that the wire 6 is triangular in cross-section three cutting edges are formed thereon, so that the handle 7 may be drawn outwardly, cutting the cover at around its outer edge adjacent to its point of connection with the upperend of the can, or

it may be drawn upwardly, cutting said cover along the line of the highest point in the groove 5, or may be drawn inwardly, cutting said cover along the circular line between the main portion of said cover and the inner edge of said groove. In fact, it is not important in which direction the handle 7 is turned and moved, as it will in any position bring one of the cutting edges of the wire 6 into contact with the cover 4.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A can having an inwardly-extending horizontal flange at its upper end forming a circular filling-opening, incombination with a cover, soldered or otherwise secured along its outer edge to said can and provided with an annular groove upon its under side adjacent to its outer edge located directly above the annular flange on said can, a strip of wire tri angular in cross-section resting upon said 0 flange and fitting within the groove in said cover, and a handle formed upon said Wire, normally folded down into contact with the top surface of said cover and adapted to be drawn outwardly, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this. specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EARL P. TYRRELL.

' Witnesses:

JOHN R. STANTON, ScoT'r A. SMITH. 

